Synthesis and Characterization of Some Novel Polymaleamides from N,N'-Biphenylbismaleimide and Aliphatic Diamines

New polymaleamides were synthesized by ring-opening polyaddition of N,N'-biphenylbismaleimide (BPBMI) to the aliphatic diamines 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-diaminohexane, 1,8-diaminooctane, piperazine, and 2,5-dimethylpiperazine in m-cresol. The appropriate model compound was also prepared. These polymers are completely soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid as well as in m-cresol and are found to be insoluble in common organic solvents. The identities of BPBMI, the model compound, and the polymaleamides were confirmed by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. These polymaleamides were found to have inherent viscosities in the range 0.10–0.14 dL/g. Their IR spectra reveal the retention of cis-geometry about the C=C bonds in BPBMI and in the polymaleamides. The thermal degradation behavior of the polymaleamides was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and mass spectrometry. Fragmentation schemes for the polymaleamides are proposed.